"I'm not surprised how well they've done, considering how much they've spent," Rose told Sky Sports. "You'd like to think a team spending that much is going to be right up there.
"I know you can always say nothing is won in November but they are going to take some catching. We're up for that challenge. We've already marked down when we play them - December 16.
"We're looking forward to that and we just have to make sure that, if they do slip up any points along the way, we're ready and prepared to catch them."
Mauricio Pochettino's Spurs finished second in the league last season as Chelsea claimed the title, but Rose is confident they can go one better to become English champions for the first time since 1961.
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"The focus at Tottenham is we want to go one step further than last year and that's finishing first," he added.
"The manager has set a brilliant mentality at the club, and I think everybody should be aware that, if Man City do slip up, we'll be there to put some pressure on them."
Tottenham next visit their north London rivals Arsenal on Nov. 18 before hosting West Bromwich Albion on Nov. 25.
(The story was refiled to correct the dates for the Arsenal and West Brom matches)
(Reporting by Hardik Vyas in Bengaluru; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)
